The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-01-15
secure famous guest for his dinner

The old soldier rose up proudly
and gave the lackey a military salute.
TEL his Iordship," he said, THAT
l shall report myself at headquarters
and present my thanks for the honor
he has done me-"
The lackey galloped off, and the
veteran pushed his chair over with
his wooden leg, and cIattered across
the cottage floor.
"H0, Peggy!' he cried, "did | not
say that luck comes and trouble flies
if you only face the enemy long
enough? ? This is the beginning OF
good things, | tell youl A hero OF
Waterloo, and fit to dine with lords
and generals, will certainly have
other good fortune coming TO him,
till he can keep his wife and daugh-
ters like princesses. Just wait a bit
and you shall soc !" and he turned
hastily away, for his heart came up
in his throat SO that he could not
speak.
All the rest of the day he sat in
the door, brushing and darning nnd
polishing his stained uniform. 1t had
lain abandoned on the shelf for many
years, but before night every button
was shining like gold, the scarlet
cloth was almost fresh once more,
and the old soldier wrapped in his
faithful cloak, was making his way
IJoylulIy arcLusS the heathery moOrs
to the castle quite at The other side.
But when he had fairly reached it,,
a"d the servant had shown him into
the drawing room, his heart almost
Jailed hIm fUra moment. Surh Spien.
dor he had never seen betOle-a
thousandth part would have bought
health ANA happiness for the dear
ones he had left with only his braye
goodbye and fresh rosebud to
comfort them
However, what with the beautiful
ladies of the castle gathering round
him to ask questions about the bat
tie and Witha Il seat near his I0rdship'5
right hand at dinner, he soon pluck.
ed up again, and began to realize how
delightful everything was. But that
was the very thing that almost spoil
Ell the whole again, for when he saw
his plate covered with IuxurieS and
delicacieS more than he could pos
sibly eat, the thought of the black
bread he had left at the cottage
brought the tears rushing to his eyes.
But sTut!' he said to him-elf in
great dismay, "what an ungrateful
poltr0on his lordsllip will think he
has brought here !" and he managed
TO brush them off while no one was
looking.
1t was delicious, though, in spite
of everything, and after Il while the
wine began to f1ow-that warmed
his very Eeart-and then he heard
his lordship calling to servant TO
bring him something from his pri-
Vate desk, saying:
"Gentlemen, l am about to show
you the proudest treasure possess.
This diamond snuf-box was presen.
ted to. me by the stout old Butcher
himself, in remembrance of service |
was able to perform at Waterloo.
Not that | was a whit WhOrthier of
it than the brave fellows under my
command-understand that !"
How the diamonds glistened an ID
CLEANED as the box was passed from
hand to hand AS if the thickest
cluster of stars you ever saw, could
shine out in the midst of yellow
sunset sky, and the colors of rain.
bow could twinkle through them at
the same time! 1t was superb, but
then that was nothing compared to
the glory of receiving it from
Butcher
Then there was more wine and
story telling, and at last some one
asked to look at the snuff-boX again
Has any one the snuff-box at
present ?" asked his lordship, rather
anxiously, for as he turned TO reach
ii no snuff-boX was to he seen.
No one said eyes," for everyone
was sure he had passed it to his
nei9hbor, and they searched up and
down the table with CONSERVATION i'm
their faces, for the snuff-boX could not
have disappeared without bands, but
to say so was to touch the honor of
gentlemen and soldiers.
AT last one of the most famous Of
firers rose from his seat:
My Lord" he said, "a very un-
lucky accident must have occurred
here, Some one of must have Slip
ped the box into his pocket uncon.
srinu-Iy. mistaken it for his own.
will take the lead in searching mine.
if the rest of the company will fol.
low !" ..
"Agreed !" said the rest, and each